A new strain of Covid could cause a surge in infections across Australia this winter, as experts issue a dire warning about the sub-variant.
The new group of coronavirus strains has been dubbed FLiRT and is a descendant of the highly contagious JN.1 variant.
Professor Catherine Bennett, professor of epidemiology at Deakin University, said the new strain was first detected in Australia in February.
Dr. Bennett anticipates that FLiRT subvariants will drive the next wave of Covid, which is expected to begin in a few weeks and peak in June.
He said Australians were somewhat protected by immunity derived from previous infections of the JN.1 variant, as well as by Covid vaccines.
“It still has the potential to make people very sick,” Dr. Bennett said. 7NEWS.
A new strain of Covid-19 will cause a surge in infections this winter flu season, as experts warn the subvariant could make people seriously ill (file image)
‘Now is the time to upgrade the reinforcements. They are the best protection for the coming weeks and months, which is when we will enter the next wave of Covid.
“Vaccines can prevent people from having to go to the hospital.”
Dr Bennett said the FLiRT subvariant would cause similar symptoms to other strains, but each infection was different.
KP.2, one of the variants of the FLiRT group, has surpassed the JN.1 in the United States.
The dominant strain accounts for more than a quarter of cases, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
KP.1.1, a related variant, is responsible for seven percent of detected cases.
It comes as a “triple whammy” of flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus, combined with falling vaccination rates, is making large numbers of Australians sick.
The number of flu cases decreased during the pandemic due to lockdowns and measures such as the widespread use of masks.
But this has led to lower immunity and increased susceptibility to flu, with 3,696 hospital admissions and 379 deaths from flu in Australia last year.
The trend continues this year, with more than 2,000 people falling ill with flu in the week to May 11 in New South Wales, a 16 per cent increase on the same period last year.
The new group of coronavirus strains has been dubbed FLiRT and is a descendant of the highly contagious JN. 1 variant (pictured, buyers in Sydney in October 2021)
Covid cases are also increasing, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is also at high levels. RSV is a leading cause of lung infection in adults and children and can cause more serious illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis.
“We are officially entering flu season and cases are expected to increase rapidly over the next six to eight weeks,” said Dr Kerry Chant, New South Wales’ chief health officer.
‘This is a timely reminder for parents as we are already seeing an increase in the number of young children falling ill with the virus.
“The flu vaccine is available and free for those at higher risk of severe illness, including children six months to less than five years old.”
The flu vaccine is also free for pregnant women and anyone who has a medical condition such as heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes or kidney disease.
Dr Chant said that since Covid is still present in the community, vaccinations are a priority, with virus activity increasing from low to moderate levels.
When is flu season in Australia?
Traditionally, flu season runs from April to October with a peak in August. However, since 2022, the flu season began in early March and peaked in June.
Flu cases are reported throughout the year, but they are more common during the winter, which is why it is called flu season.
It is believed that there is a “flu season” because in winter people spend more time indoors and in close contact with each other.
In the photo, a doctor talking to a patient.
Until April 30, 35,580 flu notifications were registered. This is much higher than the same period in 2023, which had 32,480 notifications.
While the flu can be mild, it can also cause serious illness in otherwise healthy people, leading to hospitalization and sometimes death.
In 2023, 252,296 flu cases were reported, but the total number of cases was likely much higher.
There were 3,696 hospital admissions due to influenza, of which 256 were admitted to the ICU.
In 2023, there were 376 influenza-associated deaths in Australia.
Fountain: Hudson Institute for Medical Research
